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During that time, McLeod has established the best career stroke average in program history, a record he’ll try to cement this season. He’s been steady, dependable. Nagy, on the other hand, has flashed his talent but mainly been erratic. He hopes the confidence gained from a strong summer in amateur golf can help him challenge his roommate, the reigning CAA Player of the Year.

“He’s played solid and motivated me more,” Nagy said. “He always says he putts bad, but he’s a liar. He always rolls it well. Payne’s just steady. He never really wavers and has a pretty good attitude all the time. That’s another thing I’d like to emulate. He never gets too high or too down – he just goes about his business.”

McLeod shot worse than 75 in only five of 33 rounds last season. He won the CAA individual title and Seahawk Intercollegiate and had five top-10s, increasing his career total to 13.

UNCW coach Matt Clark hopes his entire team – which features an odd mix of four seniors, three freshmen and one sophomore – can behave and compete like McLeod.

“His calmness that he presents on the outside, even though I know he’s a fierce competitor on the inside,” Clark said. “If we can take that on as our identity, I think special things can happen this year.

Trying to match McLeod this season is a lofty goal for Nagy, who at 6-foot-5 easily drives 310 yards. The Raleigh native has finished in the top 10 only twice in 23 college tournaments. He shot 75 or better in two of 11 rounds last spring, losing his confidence during a late February tournament in California.

Entering the summer, coach Clark asked Nagy if he planned to turn pro following his senior season. When Nagy replied yes, Clark told him he must work harder, putt better and believe in his ability to recover from a bad hole or round.

Nagy absorbed those words. He tied for 16th in the N.C. Amateur in June, and advanced through local and on-site qualifying to reach match play at the U.S. Amateur Public Links. He also blistered Carolina CC in Raleigh with rounds of 64 and 67 to finish third against an elite field of college players in stroke play qualifying for the N.C. Match Play.

McLeod feels his success over the last three years motivated Nagy to improve. The two don’t talk golf often in their apartment, preferring to watch sports and hang out like typical college students.

“He hasn’t played near his potential in college,” McLeod said. “As you’ve seen this summer, he played awesome. I just hope his potential comes out, because he can play some golf. He can get hot. His ballstriking is unbelievable. If he can get that putter going, look out.”

<p>Payne McLeod and Ryan Nagy are seniors on the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic71"><b>UNCW</b></a> men's golf team, entering their fourth year as roommates, seeking a fourth consecutive CAA championship.</p><p>During that time, McLeod has established the best career stroke average in program history, a record he'll try to cement this season. He's been steady, dependable. Nagy, on the other hand, has flashed his talent but mainly been erratic. He hopes the confidence gained from a strong summer in amateur golf can help him challenge his roommate, the reigning CAA Player of the Year.</p><p>“He's played solid and motivated me more,” Nagy said. “He always says he putts bad, but he's a liar. He always rolls it well. Payne's just steady. He never really wavers and has a pretty good attitude all the time. That's another thing I'd like to emulate. He never gets too high or too down – he just goes about his business.”</p><p>McLeod shot worse than 75 in only five of 33 rounds last season. He won the CAA individual title and Seahawk Intercollegiate and had five top-10s, increasing his career total to 13.</p><p>UNCW coach Matt Clark hopes his entire team – which features an odd mix of four seniors, three freshmen and one sophomore – can behave and compete like McLeod.</p><p>“His calmness that he presents on the outside, even though I know he's a fierce competitor on the inside,” Clark said. “If we can take that on as our identity, I think special things can happen this year.</p><p>Trying to match McLeod this season is a lofty goal for Nagy, who at 6-foot-5 easily drives 310 yards. The Raleigh native has finished in the top 10 only twice in 23 college tournaments. He shot 75 or better in two of 11 rounds last spring, losing his confidence during a late February tournament in California.</p><p>Entering the summer, coach Clark asked Nagy if he planned to turn pro following his senior season. When Nagy replied yes, Clark told him he must work harder, putt better and believe in his ability to recover from a bad hole or round.</p><p>Nagy absorbed those words. He tied for 16th in the N.C. Amateur in June, and advanced through local and on-site qualifying to reach match play at the U.S. Amateur Public Links. He also blistered Carolina CC in Raleigh with rounds of 64 and 67 to finish third against an elite field of college players in stroke play qualifying for the N.C. Match Play.</p><p>McLeod feels his success over the last three years motivated Nagy to improve. The two don't talk golf often in their apartment, preferring to watch sports and hang out like typical college students. </p><p>“He hasn't played near his potential in college,” McLeod said. “As you've seen this summer, he played awesome. I just hope his potential comes out, because he can play some golf. He can get hot. His ballstriking is unbelievable. If he can get that putter going, look out.”</p><p><i></p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic94"><b>Brian Mull</b></a>: 343-2034</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @BGMull</i></p>